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LOT 143
Fine New York
Engraved Colt House
Model Spur Trigger
Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 7675, 41 RF cal., 2 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/silver
finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1876, this is a fine
example of a New York engraved Colt House Model
revolver. The included factory letter confirms the caliber,
barrel length, and blue finish, with the grips not listed, as well as shipment
to H.D. Folsom Arms Co. in New York on 28 November 1876 in a shipment
of 100 guns, noting the special feature as “5-shot”, differentiating it from the
four-shot “cloverleaf” House Model revolvers. This particular example was
very attractively engraved upon reaching New York with large flourishes
of floral scroll on the sides of the frame, starbursts on the front sides of the
frame, and zig-zag patterns on both the cylinder and barrel. The top of the barrel has the
standard two-line address flanked by Maltese crosses, and the patent date is marked in the
sighting groove on top of the frame. The caliber marking is on the lower left of the frame. The serial
number is marked on the butt and in ink inside both grip panels. It is fitted with standard sights and a pair of
smooth walnut grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% plus of the retailer applied blue finish and faint traces of the original silver finish
with the balance having thinned to either a smooth grey patina or an attractively aged brass and the engraving
remaining crisp throughout. The grips are also fine with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 142
Highly Desirable Colt Etched Panel New Police “Cop & Thug” Spur Trigger
Revolver - Serial no. 18668, 38 CF cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured c. 1882-1884, this is a fine example of the highly desirable Colt
New Police Model revolver with the attractive etched panel on the barrel, an ejector
rod, the “cop & thug” grips, and some interesting additional markings that might
suggest actual police issue. It is estimated that only around 4,000 of these attractive
revolvers were produced by Colt from 1882 to 1886 and were split amongst multiple
barrel lengths and some without ejectors. The top of the barrel is marked with the
standard two-line address, while the model and caliber marking are in the acid etched
panel on the left. The serial number is marked on the butt and faintly hand-marked inside the right grip panel.
The revolver has the additional markings “1.R/14154” on the butt and “3/808”, “1312”, and what appears to be a
broad arrow on the right of the frame, which may suggest possible Canadian police issue. It is fitted with standard
sights, an ejector rod, and the factory, hard rubber, “cop & thug” grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey or
brown patina, a few patches of light pitting, some minor dings, and distinct acid etched panel. The grips are very
fine with a few minor blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 141
Attractive, Cased, New York Engraved Colt Etched Panel New
Line .22 Spur Trigger Revolver with Ivory Grips - Serial no.
50789, 22 RF cal., 2 1/4 inch slab sided bbl., nickel/gold finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in 1877, this
is a very attractive example of Colt’s New Line revolver in .22 caliber embellished with classic New York style
engraving. Many of these New Line revolvers were embellished at the factory or by New York retailers in an
effort to make them stand out amongst a crowded field of more affordable pocket revolvers, making them more
desirable to affluent clientele, who were willing to spend extra cash. This example features extensive floral scroll,
dot, and wavy border engraving on all of the major components. The top of the barrel has the standard two-
line address, while the model and caliber marking is on the left in an acid etched panel. The left of the frame is
marked “22 CAL”, the full serial number is on the butt, and the matching last four-digits are on the bottom of the
barrel. The rear face of the cylinder is numbered “074”. It is fitted with standard sights and a pair of attractive,
smooth ivory grips. Includes a leatherette wrapped retailer style case lined with robin’s egg silk.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 75% plus of the original nickel finish and 40% of the retailer applied gold on the
cylinder with some scattered minor flaking and darker grey patina within the grooves of the crisp engraving. The
slightly undersize grips are also fine with some scattered light scratches and a small chip at the top edge of the
right panel. Mechanically functions. The case is good with tears on the lining and tears and dents on the redyed
exterior.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 140
Attractive Factory
Engraved, Silver Plated
Colt Third Model
“Thuer” Derringer -
Serial no. 4023, 41 RF cal.,
2 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/silver finish, walnut
grips. Introduced in 1870, Colt’s Third Model
derringer was the first design for a derringer
pistol developed in-house by the company, with both their First and
Second Models having been designs acquired from their takeover of the
National Arms Co. The Third Model derringer was a total redesign which
was done by a longtime Colt gunsmith, F. Alexander Thuer. Thuer is
credited with three different patents during his time with Colt, the first for a metallic cartridge
conversion system for percussion revolvers, the second for tools for reloading the cartridges
for said conversion, and the third for these derringer pistols. This particular example shows
beautiful factory floral scroll engraving which covers nearly all of the frame, large flourishes
on the barrel, and a checkered area on the front strap. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT” in
italics. The matching serial number is marked on the left of the grip frame, bottom of the barrel, and in ink inside
both grip panels. It is fitted with an earlier production, high spur hammer, a German silver blade front sight, and a
pair of smooth walnut grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% of the original blue finish and 50% of the original silver plating with the balance
having thinned to either a smooth grey patina or attractively aged brass and the engraving remaining crisp. The
grips are also fine with some mild high spot wear, a few light handling marks, and retaining most of the original
varnish. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
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